New Sump - Dumb Questions

[Dr. D]

I have an eSHOPPS Mariner 100 system. Please excuse my ignorance as I’m new to sumps and sometimes the most basic question are hard to research, since I guess everyone else was born knowing?

Here’s a pic of the sump running (no fish or corals yet):

The pump is a Varios 6. I still need to figure out how to “dial it in,” but that’s not even my question yet. Here’s what I’d like to understand now:

1) There’s a piece of black foam between the center chamber and the return pump chamber. Was that just packing material or does it serve a purpose?

2) Will the return pump area water level always be lower than the other chambers?

3) I’m setting up an ATO. Where should I place the high and low water sensors?

Thanks.

 

[Dragen Fiend]

1. The foam is for filtration. Its just an extra barrier in case anything else gets through the first stages. Its also used in case you want the middle chamber for cheato instead of a skimmer.

2. Your return pump chamber is always the lowest water level or at most even compared to all other chambers.. Its the last chamber and where water is exiting.

3. ATO should be in your return pump chamber. This is where your water levels will change due to evaporation. I would personally place the high and low sensors on the right side

As for dialing in your return pump. I wouldn't worry too much until your adding in your mechanical filtration. Because if you dial it in now without any of that in. Once you do add it all. You will have to adjust it all over again.

 

[fishyjoes]

Just a small additional detail for you to understand - the first section (not sure if you call it one or two sections) will have constant water level (due to the water having to go over the wall to get to the return section). Only the return section will vary (unless you drastically over or under fill).

That's why your auto top off sensors must go in the return section.

 

[Dr. D]

Excellent. Thank you both. I thought as much, but didn’t want to mess it up.

 

[Starry Night Reef]

Hey Dr. D, since you already have the picture of the sump here, is this the level you plan on keeping it at? I added more water to my eshopps sump and am considering adding a bit more. So far I have a decent amount of room in case of a power outage, so I figured I could raise the level a bit.

 

[SomeHappyFish]

There are no dumb questions, only dumb answers. asking is key to learn. Don't be afraid to ask for clarification:)

 

[Dr. D]

Hey Dr. D, since you already have the picture of the sump here, is this the level you plan on keeping it at? I added more water to my eshopps sump and am considering adding a bit more. So far I have a decent amount of room in case of a power outage, so I figured I could raise the level a bit.

I’d say now it’s bout two-thirds full, but there’s no magic to that. I wanted it as full as it reasonably could be without flooding over when I shut everything off.

 

[Joe31415]

1. The foam is for filtration. Its just an extra barrier in case anything else gets through the first stages. Its also used in case you want the middle chamber for cheato instead of a skimmer.

It also quiets down the noise of water going over that last barrier and splashing down into the return section and gives any bubbles that get mixed in, a chance to get back out before they get drawn into the pump.

 

[PharmrJohn]

There are no dumb questions, only dumb answers. asking is key to learn. Don't be afraid to ask for clarification:)

Ya got that right. Everyone starts knowing nothing. And with the steep learning curve associated with this hobby, it's tough to bring it all in.

@Dr. D --- At this point in your 'training', I'd highly recommend you start writing stuff down. I have an app on my phone called Tasks. Pay them some cash and you can have your notations saved to cloud. It started out as something small, but has grown BIG TIME! At one point I had so much on there I was nervous that it'd become lost. But they offered an upgrade at just rhe right time. Whew! Not nervous anymore!

 

[Dr. D]

Thanks— good suggestions.

 

[samuelkl]

personally I would take the foam out unless you want to keep cleaning it regularly. Will slow the flow over time as it clogs. Skimmer goes in the middle and you want to adjust return pump flow to maximize skimmate production. Ppl use the first chamber for chaeto but doesn’t look accessible from the picture

 

[Dr. D]

personally I would take the foam out unless you want to keep cleaning it regularly. Will slow the flow over time as it clogs. Skimmer goes in the middle and you want to adjust return pump flow to maximize skimmate production. Ppl use the first chamber for chaeto but doesn’t look accessible from the picture

Good to know. I’m hoping to find ways besides a refugium to keep things in check… I may end up changing my tune later as I become an old hand, but for now I like a clean sump.

I’m getting my first fish next week and plan to take it slow. Add corals after a few months, then more fish. I’ll deal with any water quality issues as they arise. I want to have a specific reason for adding any piece of equipment. Everyone seems to have a skimmer, but I’m not even adding that until I need to.

 

[samuelkl]

Slow is good. Maybe also add some clean up crew after the first fish like snails to help with algae growth. If you do get a skimmer, you have to look at ideal water height for the skimmer and make sure it’s within range of the height in your sump now